1. Description. Devices consist of a funnel of small mesh netting within a cylinder of large mesh netting, held open by one semi-rigid hoop, and are installed in the trawl net behind a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) certified Turtle Excluder Device (TED). One side of the funnel is extended vertically to provide passage for shrimp to the cod end and to create an area of reduced water flow to allow for fish escapement through the larger mesh outer netting. Minimum construction and installation requirements stated below.

2. The small mesh funnel and large mesh section shall be positioned within extension sections constructed of 1 3/8 inch stretched mesh #18 nylon twine. The extension section shall be 120 meshes in circumference. The extension section in front of the large mesh section shall be 6 1/2 meshes long and the extension section behind the large mesh section shall be 23 meshes long.

4. The small mesh funnel shall have a circumference of 120 meshes at the leading edge and 78 meshes at the trailing edge. The short side of the funnel shall be 23 meshes long, while the long side of the funnel shall be 38 1/2 meshes long. The leading edge of the funnel shall be attached three (3) meshes forward of the leading edge of the large mesh section. The eight (8) meshes at the back edge of the top and bottom sections are attached three (3) meshes behind the soft cable hoop and are centered at the top and bottom of the extension webbing, mesh for mesh. The long side section of beginning at the back edge of the top and bottom section. The funnel shall be attached to the extension’s webbing on the top and bottom. The sewing sequence for this section shall be two (2) meshes down, one (1) mesh over toward the top and bottom centerlines.

5. The large mesh outer section shall be 10 inch stretched mesh netting, 10 mm polyester, or #120 nylon or heavier, hung on the square with a circumference of 14 1/2 meshes (75 inches) and a length of three (3) meshes (15 inch), or the large mesh outer section shall be 8 inch stretched mesh netting, 4 mm polyester, or # 120 nylon or heavier, hung on the square, with a circumference of 19 meshes (75 inch) and a length of four (4) meshes (15 inch).

6. The leading edge of the large mesh section shall be attached to the trailing edge of the front extension. The trailing edge of the large mesh outer section is attached to the leading edge of the back extension.

7. A single hoop, constructed from 3/8 inch (0.38 inch) plastic coated cable measuring 75 1/2 inch in length shall be attached five (5) meshes back from the leading edge of the back extension.

8. The large mesh escapement opening must be unobstructed.

9. This BRD is installed between the TED and the cod end. When installed behind a hard TED, the leading edge of the 6 1/2 mesh front extension is attached five (5) meshes behind the posterior edge (trailing edge) of the TED. Any part of the TED extension greater than five (5) meshes long must be removed. When installed behind a soft TED, the device is placed between the TED extension and the cod end.

G. Large Mesh Funnel Excluder (LMFE) (Figures 6,7,8, 9, and 10):

1. Description. This device consists of a funnel of small mesh netting within a cylinder of larger mesh netting, held open by two (2) semi-rigid hoops, and is installed in the cod end of the trawl. This device must be installed behind a NMFS certified TED if a TED is required. This BRD shall meet the following specifications:

2. The small mesh funnel shall be made from two (2) sections of 1 1/2 inch or 1 5/8 inch, # 24 twine or larger, depth stretched and heat set polyethylene webbing. Funnels having a leading edge of 100 meshes circumference must have a trailing edge of at least 40 meshes and not more than 60 meshes circumference. The funnel must be 30 meshes long. Funnels having a leading edge of 120 meshes circumference must have a trailing edge of at least 60 meshes and not more than 80 meshes in circumference. The funnel must be 30 meshes long.

3. The mesh escapement section shall be no smaller than 19 inch long and shall be 94 1/2 inch in circumference.

4. The large mesh escapement webbing shall be made from no smaller than 4 inch stretched mesh webbing hung on a square.

6. The leading edge of the small mesh funnel and the leading edge of the large mesh escapement webbing shall be attached to a hoop, 94 1/2 inch in length (30 inch diameter), made from at least 3/8 inch diameter combination-cable or plastic coated towing cable. The trailing edge of the large mesh escapement webbing shall be attached to the second hoop constructed identical to the forward hoop.

7. The top and bottom ends of the trailing edge of the small funnel shall be attached to the top and bottom of the cod end, respectively, so the funnel remains taut while being towed.